Only valid for active forum users. Active means at least 30 postings within the last 30 days (no spam postings). This will automatically being checked at www.starbike.com shopping basket so make sure that you are logged in at the WW board!If there does not appear a WW discount position when you check out you do not have enough postings!

Now, I don't know what Assos, Oakley, Smith, Rudy Project and the rest incur with respect to production costs, but I do know that you can get polarized, photochromic, multiple lenses, even custom US-made stuff from among that group for far less than many places are charging for the Assos. This isn't a small disparity in price, it's huge.

b) Rejecting photochromic lenses

Sure, they don't react as fast as light conditions *can* change, but light conditions usually don't change that fast on the road. Clouds come and go, the sun rises and sets. It never happens instantly. I can see why you might not choose photochromics for MTB, where the canopy of the forest can cause on/off light effects, but that's less common on the road. Being able to use the full field of vision on a single lens that you wear for day-into-night or variable weather rides is very practical.

On the road, if the light changes so fast that photochromics can't cope, chances are that your own eyes need a moment to adjust. The kind of transition that would overwhelm photochromics would be something like a headlong rush into an unlit tunnel so long that ambient light doesn't penetrate. In that case, I'd play it safe, slow down, remove my non-Zegho glasses, and give my eyes a few seconds to adjust to that severe change. That's plenty of time to stick my glasses in my helmet for the tunnel.

And why does the Zegho yellow lens have that clear portion at the bottom? Riders of all levels, pros included, use yellow and clear lenses interchangeably (according to preference) during dark rides and inclement weather rides. Nobody wears *either* of those lens colors in bright light, so you're looking at a tint combo that is totally redundant. And you're paying handsomely for the privilege, since Assos reminds us that these lenses have an august Zei$$ pedigree.

c) Most of the positive testimonials to the Zegho seem to share the common impression that they offer an unprecedented field of vision. Other, cheaper, glasses on the market can achieve that huge coverage, but few people have direct experience with them.

The two that come to mind are the Oakley Radar XL Blade and the M-Frame with the Heater lens option. These are uncommon variants of common Oakleys. Both will make you look like Robocop and choke all airflow. Most people avoid these lenses because huge lenses are an idiosyncratic personal and functional preference. For this reason, many who try the Zegho won't have had experience with these alternatives or don't even realize they exist. But they do exist, and they give the same "interstate bus driver" bubble view of the road that you get with the Zegho.

I do think that the Zegho looks kind of cool, but I think the yellow/clear combo is redundant, rejecting photochromics was a mistake, the frame and lens colors are pitifully limited, and the price equation doesn't work if you don't totally dig everything about them.

Ultimately, ride what you like and be happy. I can write anything and it won't matter if you like your Zegho. I like my M-Frame heaters, ESPECIALLY because they make me look like Robocop

-Tim

Last edited by SpinnerTim on Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:01 am, edited 1 time in total.

At the other end of the spectrum "3 replaceable lens sunglasses" are also worth a look - IMHO these are ideal for winter / MTB / cross use as they are cheap enough to be disposable if you drop / scratch / put them in your back pocket with keys. You can buy 20 pairs of these or one set of Zeghos.

On the other hand I was talking to an optician about the Zegho and their insane pricing and he told me that its Zeiss lenses is one main reason. In terms of quality they would probably be way better than most if not all "normal" bike sunglasses lenses. Asking Zeiss to make a new product for you costs a lot.

A lot of Zegho glasses are used bij people that are not on a bike. so yes...you can use them off the bike. Allllthough the Zegho is (too) expensive, I think that you get what you pay for. The Carl Zeiss lenses are great but expensive. The Zegho is a succes and Assos will introduce two more models in the near future.I believe a gold/brown and a transparent version.

A oakley Jawbone is not only for cycling. The Jawbone is used on the water, piste and other sports. The Zegho is developed for cycling only and that is why they are such great glasses for cycling.

I don't know if Carl Zeiss is better then Oakley glasses, but I do know that Carl Zeiss is one of the companies that makes one of the best lenses and optics in the world. No; I don't get money from Assos and Yes you sounded like you look green with jealousy.

By the way I also have a Jawbone that I really like but the Assos Zegho is better for cycling in my opinion.

Someone said that photochromic lenses are good for cycling. I couldn't disagree more, they are overtly dangerous, at least on the backroads in the Catskills where I ride. I don't know about you, but when I'm descending from a sunny hillside into a heavily shaded area, I don't want to wait 15 seconds for my lenses to adjust. This isn't something that happens occasionally, or even once per ride, more like dozens of times on every ride.

Assos got it really right with the abrupt transition between tint and clear, and I wouldn't be surprised if everyone starts following their lead.

I know they look odd but they are so much better than other sunglasses I've had that I don't really care. As I said in my review, it isn't often that a product comes along that so clearly improves the riding experience.